In Memoriam

Uncle Gordy's Smile

Uncle Gordy was so many things to so many, but to me he was a smile. One that made you know you were special, well at least to him. When he saw the kids and listened to my kids it was always with a smile and laugh. When he hugged you to greet you, or bid you farewell it was heartfelt, and went hand in hand with his smile.

A smile is a powerful thing and so was the love he had for us all, as is the love we have for him. I will miss his smile. The pictures posted, serve as proof, that yes he was so many things, including a smile.

WE LOVE YOU GORDY and WILL MISS YOU!
Jenny, John, EmmaLee, Jacob and Lucas xo xo

Gordie surrounded by his family

Christmas Family Reunion 1989? 1988 or 1989.

This is how I want to think of Uncle Gordie, with all of us around him always. I know he knows we are there. And we miss others in this picture who aren't with us now, Grandpa Dick, Grandma Bea. And my sweet little doggie Katie.

From Mary Ann G.

I had just just met Gordy a couple of times, along with the rest of the family and what a fun loving family you are. I tell my family I've never seen such a close family and love the way everyone takes care of each other. I love Marge G. dearly and her wonderful family also. My deepest sympathy to all of you. Love Mary Ann

Family Picture

This is Gordie, Bill, Margaret, Ron, Joyce, and Peggy.

Ron says:

The one photo of my Mom and Dad, Gordie (in uniform) A/3C, myself, Joyce and Peggy was taken in late 1954 or early 1955. The reason I know by looking at the picture is that Gordie only has on strip on his uniform, I'm still in high school. It was probably just after basic training for Gordie. I joined the Air Force in September of 1955.

OK, Chris was struck by a funny thought. Folks in the picture above are making very nearly the same faces as they are making this this photo here. LOL!

OK, you gotta try this, cuz it is uncanny. I am rolling on the floor. Right-click on the link next to the LOL and when it asks, say "Open in New Window." Resize the windows so you can see the older picture at the top of the screen and the color picture at the bottom of the screen. Ron's head above should line up with Ron's head below (Ron's expression is JUST uncanny, but so is Joyce's and Margaret's). Peggy is making the same face, of course, but her head is turned.

And Gordie, while making the same face (he is always the most reserved one of the kids, but for his big laugh Marge commented on here), if you look in the color picture, his expression as an older man in the color picture has same smile as his dad in the older picture.

From Bill G.

My first memory of Gordie was as a very young child when he would come to visit mom and dad. I can remember a very smart looking man in his Air Force uniform. I as so impressed with how he looked and Gordie had as much to do with me going into the military as my father. In later years, I remember a loving brother who was always smiling and who's face would light up when you would meet. Gordie will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him. With my deepest sympathy, Bill

Posted by Bill Garsow at July 18, 2003 10:41 AM

Click Continue to see the larger, full frame version of this photo of Gordie and Ron on a base in Kansas (Kansas?). cb

Uncle Gordie & Roller Coasters

When we would travel to Texas to vist Gordie and Marge we would go to Six Flags, which is an amusement park. No one in my family besides Uncle Gordie would go on the roller coaster with me. We had a great time and he would laugh his laugh that was addictive and made a memory that is forever in my heart and mind. We will miss him very much.

From Scott N.

My sincere condolences. It's a sad day. At times like this I'm always at a loss for what to say. Gordie was a good man who will be missed by everyone. Best wishes and prayers for Marge and the rest of the family.

From Judy L.

I have such good memories of Gordy and will especially always remember how much he looked like our Dad. When he was a teenager and we younger ones would be driving him nuts, he was always tolerant and nice to us--even when we sneaked into his room and listened to his old 45 rpm records!

Eau Claire Leader-Telegram Obituary

Gordon W. Barton, 68, of Arlington, Texas, and formerly of Eau Claire, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at his home in Arlington, Texas, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Eau Claire on February 9, 1935, the son of William and Margaret (Nichols) Barton. Gordon graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School with the class of 1954. Gordon married Margaret A. Stelter in Eau Claire on January 26, 1963.

He served with the 310th Armament and Electronics Maintenance Squad of the U.S. Air Force for nine years. Gordon was a retired electronics manager and former owner of Southtronics of Texas.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Arlington.

Gordon always had a special place in his heart for all of the neighborhood children and his long-lived pets. He was an avid fisherman.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Margaret of Arlington; his mother, Margaret of Eau Claire; brother, Ronald (Dorothy) of Burnsville, Minn.; two sisters, Peggy (Lee) Bitzer of Eau Claire and Joyce (Don) Boese of Wasilla, Alaska; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2003, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor David J. Irgens officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery where VFW Post 305 will conduct military rites.

Family and friends may call one hour prior to services Saturday at church.

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family.

Joyce's picture of flowers on the water

One of my early memories of Gordie is that when we had bacon and eggs for breakfast when we were kids that we always shared our eggs, Gordie ate the whites and I ate the yellows!! I have many more happy thoughts and hopefully will have time to write a few more later. Gordie was always a loving brother.

Our first trip to Texas

David and Doug Barton and Christy Boese, on Gordie & Marge's front porch, the house before their current one.

What year? Tim was a baby and we stayed at Holiday Inns all the way down. Heidi, our daschund, got sick all over stolen Holiday Inn towels (with the green stripe saying "Holiday Inn" across the middle) on the floor of the car. All the Holiday Inns were motor lodges with great playgrounds.

And while visiting Gordie and Marge, we went to the Texas Schoolbook Depository. I didn't really get why it was important, although now I do. Late 60s, 1968? 1969?

I bet David and Doug don't remember this. We got in BIG trouble at Gordie's house one night they left us with a babysitter and we decided to play Store. We didn't have any play money. Somewhere we found an old Bible, a pocket Bible, of Uncle Gordie's with that onion skin paper, just like play money. We did a terrible thing. We ripped out pages to use them for play money.

Oh man, did we catch it when they got back. Gordie wouldn't give us hell, but my Mom and Uncle Ron did. I felt about 2 inches tall, just awful, because we ruined Uncle Gordie's Bible. No way I'd ever do anything like that again. Would you believe even to this day I still feel bad about what we did?

Arlington, TX Obituary

Gordon was a retired electronics manager and former owner of Southtronics of Texas. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Arlington. Gordon was in the Air Force for 9 years. He always had a special place in his heart for all the neighborhood children and loved his long-lived pets.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Margaret (Marge); his mother, Margaret Barton Garsow of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; a brother, Ron (Dorothy) Barton of Burnsville, Minnesota, ; sister, Joyce (Don) Boese of Wasilla, Alaska; sister, Peggy (Lee) Bitzer of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; also many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.